Topic 1
Introduction to Earth’s Systems
Unit: Water & the Atmosphere
Lesson 1:
Matter and Energy In Earth’s Systems
Textbook pages: 4-10
What is a System?
A system is a group of parts that work together as a whole.
Earth is a large system that has 4 spheres or “subsystems”
Notes:
Water and Rock Cycles
At each step of a cycle of matter, some change in energy occurs to keep the cycle going.
Earth’s Systems:
Hydrosphere/
Cryosphere
Geosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Earth’s Systems:
Cryo
Geo
Atmo
Bio
life
air
ground
water
Hydro
Cold
Drag the correct sphere to its definition and picture
Geosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere/
Cryosphere
Atmosphere
Earth’s envelope of gases that is made up of air.
The inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust.
All of Earth’s water and ice.
All living organisms
Cycles require energy
Energy is the ability to do work.
Earth’s Systems have two sources of energy:
Heat from the sun Heat from Earth’s interior
Feedback
When one part of Earth’s systems effects part.
Example: Glaciers, part of the cryosphere, are large blocks of ancient ice, usually found near mountains and in polar regions. Like a freezer pack in a cooler, a glacier keeps the surrounding air and land cool. But many glaciers are melting around the world. As glaciers melt, they lose mass and volume and turn into liquid water that drains away or evaporates. This allows the land underneath to absorb more sunlight, which causes the surrounding air and land to get warmer. The warmer air makes glaciers melt even faster.
Examples of systems using feedback
Thermostat in House
Water Tank
Lesson 1 Vocabulary